Feel like you’re always stuck at the keyboard and never get to hang with your mates? Always missing dinners to meet deadlines? New research reveals which Australian cities are the best for work-life balance – and maybe it’s time to rethink your career… and your postcode while you’re at it.
To determine which Aussie cities prioritise life outside the nine-to-five, Remitly’s researchers scored them across ten key factors. They weighed work-related elements like commute times, internet speed, rent prices, salaries and weekly working hours against lifestyle perks, including the number of beaches, cafés, weather and access to nature and wildlife areas.
A clear trend emerged from the research, and it’s hardly a shocker: smaller cities tend to offer a better split between work and play, thanks to a slower pace of life, a stronger sense of community and a lower cost of living. Sitting at the top of that list is the laid-back coastal city of Mackay in Queensland, which scored a stellar 8.42 out of ten. Locals here earn the highest average monthly salary of the top ten cities ($7,944 after tax) and pay the third-lowest average rent at just $1,392 per month – leaving plenty of cash to splash on hobbies and weekend adventures.
With an average annual temperature of 23 degrees and the most beaches (15) per 100,000 people – including hotspots like Eimeo and Harbour Beach – Mackay residents have no shortage of ways to relax outdoors. Add in the nearby national parks with their peaceful walking trails – shout-out to the tranquil Cape Hillsborough – plus the Whitsundays just a few hours away, and locals are absolutely spoilt for weekend escapes.
Queensland has clearly cracked the code to work-life balance, claiming 50 per cent of the top ten places. Thinking of making a move? You can check out the other top contenders below.
The 10 Australian cities for work-life balance
- Mackay, QLD
- Hobart, TAS
- Rockhampton, QLD
- Ballarat, VIC
- Launceston, TAS
- Bunbury, WA
- Townsville, QLD
- Toowoomba, QLD
- Darwin, NT
- Gold Coast, QLD
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